电气柜绝缘隔板用什么尼龙?失效不是击穿,而是电痕化

应用领域 发布时间: 2026-09-12 1313 阅读

170 Electrical Cabinet Insulation Panel and Busway Components

The operating condition of the insulation baffle is electric field with humidity and heat

The insulating partitions inside the distribution cabinet are subjected to the electric field, the temperature rise inside the cabinet (40-70℃), and the high humidity of the plum rain season in southern China for a long time.

The failure mode is not breakdown, but tracking—after the surface becomes damp, leakage current occurs, carbonizing and forming a conductive path, eventually leading to surface flashover. The starting point of this process is moisture absorption on the surface.

CTI is the primary indicator, not flame retardancy

Insulating partitions must meet both flame retardant and electrical tracking resistance requirements, but many people only check for flame retardancy.

CTI (Comparative Tracking Index) should be ≥ 400 V, and high-voltage cabinets should be ≥ 600 V.

The CTI of brominated flame retardant systems is generally only 250 V, so halogen-free flame retardants or specially designed high-CTI grades must be selected. This is the easiest trap to fall into when choosing materials for electrical cabinets.

On-site restoration: tracking marks in the busway

In December 2024, an electrical factory in Wenzhou that makes busways called, in an urgent tone: their busways had been installed in the distribution room of a commercial complex for half a year. During the annual inspection, it was found that the surface of the insulation supports had carbonized tracking marks, and the power supply bureau required rectification within a time limit.

On-site inspection: The tracking marks ran along the surface from the fixing bolts in a blackened thin line. The distribution room has high humidity, and with dust accumulation plus condensation, a conductive water film forms on the surface of the insulation components, causing materials with insufficient CTI to carbonize along the way.

That batch of insulating parts used regular flame-retardant PA66. It passed V-0, but the CTI is only 275 V. The design institute's drawings specified a pollution level 3 environment, which corresponds to a CTI requirement of over 400—the inspection report provided by the supplier when submitting samples was under clean conditions, and no one checked this item during the design institute's review.

We provided a high CTI flame-retardant PA66 special grade: CTI 600 V, halogen-free system, with minimal CTI degradation after humidity and heat. All support components have been replaced and re-inspected successfully.

The deepest impression from completing this job is: everyone knows to attach flame retardant reports for electrical components, but many people don't know to include CTI reports — and in power distribution rooms with an environment of humidity, heat, and dust accumulation, the critical danger is precisely the latter.

The choice between PBT and PA66

PBT has a moisture absorption rate of 0.1%, and its dielectric properties hardly change with humidity, making it the preferred material for insulation panels. PA66 has a moisture absorption rate of 2.5-3%, and its dielectric strength decreases by 25% after reaching saturation, but it has better strength and heat resistance, making it suitable for structural panels that require mechanical strength. In humid areas, cabinet panels prioritize PBT.

Damp-heat electrical tracking test is a mandatory inspection item

The CTI test of IEC 60112 is for screening materials, while the sloping method tracking test of IEC 60587 is closer to actual conditions.

Under 3.5 kV and contaminated liquid conditions, it is required not to break down for 6 hours. PBT and specialized high CTI PA66 can pass, while ordinary flame-retardant PA66 cannot.

If this is not done, the cabinet in the south will be a ticking time bomb.

Deeper: How CTI was 'implemented'

CTI (Comparative Tracking Index) is an indicator that can be proactively designed at the formulation level, and it is worthwhile to clearly explain both the mechanism and the formulation aspects.

Mechanistically: tracking is the process of surface discharge carbonization. In a humid and hot environment, a water film forms on the surface, and dust dissolves into it to become an electrolyte. The charged surface discharges along the water film, and the discharge carbonizes the organic matter. The carbonization becomes conductive, which further accelerates the discharge—a positive feedback loop, eventually burning a conductive path all the way through.

The CTI value is the material's resistance along this path, with levels ranging from 100 V to 600 V.

In terms of formulation, the main components that enhance CTI are hydrated metal oxides: aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. They have two functions: they decompose when heated to release water and absorb heat to lower the temperature, and during discharge, their surfaces do not form sharp carbonized channels—which is also the reason they are used as flame retardants at the same time.

Conversely, some flame-retardant systems damage CTI: halogen-containing systems produce acidic gases when burning, which form acids when they encounter water, increasing surface electrolytes and actually dragging down the CTI.

So when the two requirements of 'high CTI and high flame retardancy' come together, the range of formulation options is actually quite narrow. Halogen-free nitrogen-based compounds with hydrated oxides are the mainstream path, and there aren't that many grades on the market that can meet both indicators at the same time.

There is another engineering fact: CTI will degrade with humidity and heat aging. Material with a factory value of 600 may drop to 500 after 1000 hours of humidity and heat exposure. Both design and acceptance should allow a margin based on the degraded value; the dry-state data line on the certification report is not the endpoint.

Special requirements for busway insulation components

The insulating supports of the busduct must withstand the huge electrodynamic shocks during short circuits — the peak can reach tens of times the rated value.

Mechanical strength and flame retardancy are equally important. Use PA66-GF30 halogen-free flame retardant with high CTI, and the heat deflection temperature should be above 240℃.

Busway components also need to undergo short-circuit withstand verification, which is a rare dual certification of mechanical and electrical properties for plastic parts.

Install matching latent variables

The partition must coordinate with the cabinet body, busbar, and support components, with a dimensional tolerance of ±0.5 mm. PA66 changes dimension by 0.3-0.4% after absorbing moisture; a 1 m long partition will expand by 3-4 mm, which is enough to cause installation difficulties or generate internal stress.

Long-size partitions preferably use PBT or allow dimensional allowances for PA66. In addition, the installation holes on the partitions should be chamfered to avoid stress concentration cracking.

Engineering field measurement: 4 mandatory tests

Test 1: CTI comparison. Halogen-free flame-retardant PBT CTI 600 V, halogen-free flame-retardant PA66 CTI 500 V, brominated flame-retardant PA66 only 250 V.

Test 2: Inclined plane method for tracking resistance. 3.5 kV for 6 hours, high CTI PBT passed, ordinary flame-retardant PA66 broke down in 2 hours — mandatory inspection item.

Test 3: Moisture absorption dielectric. The dielectric strength of PA66 drops by 25% after moisture saturation, while PBT remains almost unchanged — PBT is preferred in humid areas.

Test 4: Short-circuit electrodynamics. The busway support remained undamaged under a 50 kA short circuit when made of PA66-GF30, while non-reinforced PA66 broke.

Three Consecutive Follow-up Questions: The Three Most Common Questions in Procurement

Question: How thick should the insulation barrier be? Thickness is not necessarily better if it’s larger: if the barrier is twice as thick, the creepage distance increases, but heat dissipation worsens, costs rise, and it takes up more space in the cabinet. The correct sequence is to first calculate the required creepage distance according to the circuit voltage and pollution level, then check the correction factor based on the material's CTI, and finally determine the thickness—the thickness is calculated, not arbitrarily chosen.

Second question: After damp heat, how much CTI attenuation requires retesting? The industry practice is to retest after 1000 hours of damp heat. If the attenuation exceeds one grade (for example, dropping from 600 to below 400), it cannot be designed according to the nominal value. For bus ducts and outdoor cabinets in such condensation environments, this test must be done; skipping it will eventually lead to paying the price.

Three questions: How to calculate the temperature rise of busway insulation parts. The insulation itself does not generate heat; the problem is the heat conducted from the conductor: when the copper bar is fully loaded, the contact area can exceed 100°C, and the long-term operating temperature of the insulation must be verified according to this. The RTI for modified PA66 grades is at least 120°C; if it is lower than this, creep relaxation over ten years can release the clamping force, increase contact resistance, and initiate a vicious cycle. ### Let's do a material cost calculation: the price gradient of CTI grades.

The price of high CTI ratings rises sharply with the level. Putting out the gradient gives you a clear idea when selecting a model.

CTI 400 level of flame retardant PA66 is about 10% more expensive than regular V-0 brand — this is the most commonly used tier and the largest quantity. CTI 600 level is 30% to 40% more expensive, with twice the proportion of hydrated oxides in the formula and less capacity.

Higher 4.5 kV inclined plane grade, customized by project, price negotiable .

The steep gradient is due to formulation conflicts: flame retardant and CTI have mutually restrictive filler requirements; systems that can be raised simultaneously are naturally scarce, and scarcity comes with a premium. A common mistake

makes in choosing models is "maxing out the grade for peace of mind": indoor cabinets in clean environments use the 600 range, each costing 3 yuan more; 10,000 units cost 30,000 yuan more—but the on-site contamination level doesn't even need this level. Conversely, more commonly: using the 400 level in heavily polluted areas saves those 3 yuan, but after annual inspection, the cost of remediation is returned a hundredfold.

The correct approach is to measure or assess the on-site pollution level clearly, and set the CTI value as "still one level above the required level after attenuation." Every extra yuan spent on electrical parts is clearly targeted, and every yuan spent in the wrong direction is remembered. ### Boundary Declaration

Operating ConditionRecommended Materials
General Cabinet Inner PartitionHigh CTI PBT Flame Retardant V-0
High-Strength Structural PartitionPA66-GF30 High CTI
High Voltage CabinetCTI ≥ 600 V Special material
busbar tray supportPA66-GF30, halogen-free flame retardant
southern humid regionspriority PBT

engineering memo

insulation partition must undergo CTI + inclined surface method anti-electric scarring + moisture-absorbing dielectric before mass production. Flame retardant does not equal passing insulation; CTI and anti-trace resistance are key.

Practical Case: Common pitfalls and correct answers

Pitfall 1: Only look at flame retardant rating, not CTI. Insulating partitions are installed near live circuits, with flame retardant V-0 but CTI only 250 V. After long-term creepage electricity, the surface carbonizes and short-circuits. Correct answer: Live components must have a CTI ≥ 400 V (compared to leakage tracing index); V-0 only solves fire, not creepage—this is the most commonly missed electrical component. Pitfall 2: Using recycled or second-grade material as insulation components, with large fluctuations in dielectric strength batches, 5% breakdown in voltage test. Correct answer: All insulating parts must use genuine new material, with batch voltage resistance reports attached. Pitfall 3: After installing terminal components for a while, torque decays occurs. Thinking the screw is loose, it's actually nylon creep. Correct answer: When connecting insulated partitions with threaded loads, glass fiber must be reinforced to GF25 or above, and retightened after 24 hours of assembly.

Reverse case: From 275 to 600, there is an annual inspection in between.

Looking back at the full timeline of the Wenzhou order is more useful than just looking at the conclusion.

In June 2023, the power distribution equipment project won the bid. For insulation parts, the only hard criterion was "flame-retardant V-0," choosing ordinary flame-retardant PA66, which was the most cost-effective per unit. Installed and powered back in September, everything was normal. During the June 2024 annual inspection, opening the cabinet door revealed signs of electric scrazing carbonization. The power supply bureau issued a rectification notice limiting the inspection to one month.

had to do in one month: re-selecting materials (high CTI brand), completing full verification based on real pollution levels, purchasing injection molding, replacing machines one by one on site, and re-inspecting to close the case. It actually took twenty-six days, with three teams from the intermediate factory stationed on site. The material price difference was several dozen yuan per piece, and the reputation loss and on-site manpower from suspension and rectification cost hundreds of times the price difference.

What's even more worth noting is the follow-up: this factory changed the insulating material selection rules to three rules—first determine the pollution level, then CTI is valued by attenuation, and flame retardant and CTI are checked together with the table. They said this rule comes from those twenty-six days.

Most electrical industry accidents are not technical gaps, but "misalignment of indicators": design institute drawings, supplier reports, and on-site conditions—each side has its own story, and the crack where the problem occurred lies in between. ### Extended judgment: Don't reverse-order the verification sequence

Insulation partition verification has a fixed order; skipping the earlier and doing the later ones is basically wasted.

Step 1: Verify the material itself: mechanics, thermal, flame retardancy, electrical components, and confirm the part number is correct.

Step 2: Verify the process window: For parts produced by the same batch under different mold temperatures and holding pressures, performance differences may exceed 20%. The process window must be established.

The third step is to do whole-machine or whole-piece verification: install it under actual operating conditions to run its lifespan. Many people do the opposite — install the machine directly to test lifespan. If it fails, they don't know if it's due to the material or the process, so they repeatedly replace the material, and after half a year, no results come out.

Write down these three things in a form and send it to the supplier, which is more effective than making ten phone calls—the cost of communication for insulating partition selection is basically spent on these repeated confirmations.

The final Q&A: The ruling at three critical moments

Dilemma one: The drawings only mention flame retardant rating, should you proactively mention the CTI? You must mention it: not specifying the drawings doesn't mean the requirements don't exist; the CTI corresponding to the pollution level is industry common knowledge. If you proactively bring this up, engineers will appreciate it—exposing hidden dangers during the design phase is one of the greatest benefits a supplier can offer.

Dilemma 2: Should insulation partitions be designed with excess (thickening or grading)? Just achieve a "requirement of one level of margin": after accounting for pollution levels, humidification, and heat decay, a higher level is a reasonable reserve; higher is a waste of cabinet space and cost. Excessive design is not a virtue for electrical components; it's a respectable way to say that costs are out of control.

Dilemma 3: Should busbar duct components and ordinary cabinet components be supplied separately? Separation: The temperature rise and short-circuit conditions of busbars are a level stricter than ordinary cabinets, and material control and verification are accordingly tightened. Combined supply saves procurement processes and gambles on the temperature rise lifespan of busbars—most mergers in the electrical industry lose out on this matter. ### Additional Note: Three on-site judgment signals

Signal One: Surface burnt thin lines, follow a fixed path. Creeper carbonization should stop immediately. This is not an aging warning but an accident occurring. The entire batch of parts of the same grade must be re-inspected.

Signal Two: Condensation marks and dust accumulation inside the cabinet. Contamination levels should be re-estimated according to the actual site conditions; CTI margins should be supplemented according to reassessment results. Do not trust the ideal environment shown on the machine room drawings.

Signal 3: Insulation compression force decreases and abnormal noises. High-temperature creep is ongoing; first measure the actual temperature inside the cabinet, then verify the RTI of the material; the compression structure compensation is only a temporary measure. ### Verification sequence: Complete the three steps before placing an order

Step one, assess the environment: set CTI requirements according to the on-site contamination level and condensation history; if the drawings are not specified, go see the site yourself.

Step two, test attenuation: after damp heat, retest CTI, design according to the attenuation value, dry state nominal value only for reference.

Step three, for the system: go through the temperature coupling between the insulating parts and the heating zone of the conductor, and the aging of the sealing structure together. After completing these three steps, the insulation parts in the electrical cabinet can be safely installed for ten years.

Conclusion

What material is used for this part? The earlier you ask about material selection, the easier it is.

For material selection and mold trials for these types of pieces, you can chat together

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